St0n3y
02-18-2005, 03:24 PM
Last week we submitted a press release (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/02-16-2005/0003024421&EDATE=) touting some of my company's most recent ranking achievements achievements. This has ignited some conversations and debates a few other places about its merits.
First of all, let me admit our mistakes:
* The press release was less than substantial. The release, as originally written was considerably longer, however when I submitted through 24-7 press releases, I read that they will reject any releases written a way that make it sound like an advertisement. The I cut the release down by about half, not that I thought it was poorly written, but because I didn’t want to take the chance of getting it rejected.
* The release lacked additional relevant information. We should have added some additional statistics touting increases in hits, sales, conversion rations, ROI, whatever. These are all important and the release should not have gone out without these elements.
With that said--and I'm opening the door to criticism here because I feel that whether or not this passes SEO community muster, its an important discussion to have--do you feel that this is a valid form of marketing? What would or would not make a legitimate press release? Is this something that there should be more or less of? Is this something that SEOs should be doing, assuming that they have accomplishments worth touting?
Let's discuss.
First of all, let me admit our mistakes:
* The press release was less than substantial. The release, as originally written was considerably longer, however when I submitted through 24-7 press releases, I read that they will reject any releases written a way that make it sound like an advertisement. The I cut the release down by about half, not that I thought it was poorly written, but because I didn’t want to take the chance of getting it rejected.
* The release lacked additional relevant information. We should have added some additional statistics touting increases in hits, sales, conversion rations, ROI, whatever. These are all important and the release should not have gone out without these elements.
With that said--and I'm opening the door to criticism here because I feel that whether or not this passes SEO community muster, its an important discussion to have--do you feel that this is a valid form of marketing? What would or would not make a legitimate press release? Is this something that there should be more or less of? Is this something that SEOs should be doing, assuming that they have accomplishments worth touting?
Let's discuss.